DMK (band)

Lore & Background

DMK formed in late 2010 when Malka Mikkelsen, a longtime Depeche Mode fan since 1987, decided to recreate 'Shake the Disease' as an act of psychomagic during a personal separation. Using an old Yamaha PSR-150 keyboard, a xylophone, a kazoo, and various household items, Mikkelsen invited their children Milah (then 7) and Korben (then 4) to perform sounds. The resulting video, recorded in a four-screen split format at home, was shared with family and friends. Two more covers followed, with the children learning parts via a color-coded system since they could not read sheet music.

In late January 2012, their third cover, 'Everything Counts,' was picked up by outlets such as CBS, HuffPost, Wired, and The Guardian, making the trio an internet sensation. They adopted the name DMK in February 2012, which stood for 'Depeche Mode Kids' and also referenced the initials of the members at the time (Malka Mikkelsen, Milah, Korben). The band went on to perform live at festivals in Colombia, the United States, Spain, Poland, and Germany, and released their first original composition, 'Pale Blue Dot,' in May 2015.

In February 2022, they announced a permanent hiatus via a Zoom event hosted by the Depeche Mode Global Fan Club, and later that year released a compilation album, 'Songs of Tiny Devotion: A Family Tribute to Depeche Mode 2010–2022.'

Reader's Guide

DMK's significance lies in their unconventional approach to tribute music, using toys and household items to recreate the sound of a major electronic band. Their viral success demonstrated the power of internet distribution for niche, family-driven projects, and their cover of 'Everything Counts' was noted by The Atlantic as one of the most transformative cover songs and by Electronic Beats as one of the ten best Depeche Mode covers ever made. The band's inclusion in the documentary 'Spirits in the Forest' alongside other global fans highlighted the personal connection between Depeche Mode and their audience. DMK's legacy is that of a short-lived but culturally resonant phenomenon that blended family creativity, fandom, and digital virality, earning them a place in lists such as Ultimate Guitar's '10 weirdest cover bands' and MTV Iggy's rising Colombian acts. Their permanent hiatus in 2022 marked the end of a 12-year project that produced a single compilation album and a distinctive videography.

Did You Know?

• DMK's cover of 'Everything Counts' was recorded on December 23, 2011, and went viral in late January 2012 after being picked up by CBS, HuffPost, Wired, and The Guardian.
• Korben Schrader performed with a broken right elbow at the Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá on March 13, 2015, playing only with his left hand.
• DMK were chosen to take over Depeche Mode's Facebook page in March 2017, and Martin Gore publicly expressed that they were one of his favorite entries.